Post by @jeridansky@sfba.social

Asking the Fedi for help!

Every year I "adopt" two seniors, get their wish lists, and try to buy everything on those lists. Some things are easy, but the clothes (the bulk of the lists) can be hard.

I do all my purchasing online. Last year someone pointed me to the Vermont Country Store and I've already made some purchases there — but they don't have everything I need.

And searching at department stores web sites (like Macys) is horrible. I can't narrow down my search enough (for things like washable, or open-front sweater) so I might have hundreds of sweaters or slacks to search though. And a search for a shawl brings up many things that aren't shawls.

So: Does anyone have good high-quality clothing stores, with clothes appropriate for senior women, to recommend to me? In the US, please. I need sweaters, blouses, pants — and a shawl. And obviously no Amazon.

#AskFedi

#askfedi

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Jeri Dansky

@jeridansky@sfba.social 17 hr. ago

Thanks to everyone who's replied! From the messages so far:

Fedi favorites:
Duluth Trading Company
LL Bean

Cautioned against:
J.Jill — quality has gone down recently.
Lands End — sold to private equity within the last year.

And others to look into:
Coldwater Creek
North Style
Talbots
JC Penney
Old Navy
Costco
Maggie's Organics
Uniqlo
Christopher & Banks
Eileen Fisher, a B Corp

And then there's Appleseeds, which has returned after disappearing. It used to be a go-to for me, but I wonder if the quality stayed the same as before.

Note that Etsy is probably out unless you have a specific vendor to recommend, given all the problems there.
https://www.wired.com/story/etsy-is-in-its-flop-era-and-sellers-are-fleeing/

This site warns about companies that are no longer good — and points to some which are:
https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/

Also note: Per the rules of this program: All gifts must be new with tags.

(Edited to add some to the list of ones to look into, and to mention Appleseeds and WorseOnPurpose.)

WIRED

Etsy Is In Its Flop Era, and Sellers Are Fleeing

Once a quirky bastion of amateur vulva jewelry and pet portraits, Etsy is now deluged with mass-produced goods and AI knockoffs. Some customers don’t seem to mind.

Robotistry

@Robotistry@fediscience.org 20 hr. ago

@jeridansky In case this wasn't already factored in, some washing instructions are stricter than they need to be. For example, silk is *sturdy* and my mother routinely threw her silk shirts in the washer and dryer and they came out fine. I usually wash my sweaters in the washer and dry them flat and they come out fine too. In my experience "hand wash" is often more of a suggestion than a requirement.

Nomdeb

@nomdeb@mstdn.social 20 hr. ago

@Robotistry @jeridansky Ha. Also my washing "machine" has a "handwash" cycle. 😊 😊 :)

Jeri Dansky

@jeridansky@sfba.social 20 hr. ago

@nomdeb @Robotistry And I'll wager the washing machines my low-income seniors have access to have no such setting. What I'd perhaps be willing to get for myself is very different for what I'll be getting for these women.

I need clothes that say "machine wash," preferably not requiring cold water, and not followed by "lay flat to dry."

Nomdeb

@nomdeb@mstdn.social 19 hr. ago

@jeridansky @Robotistry Completely off on a tangent, is there a reason you don't want cold water? The reason I'm asking is that recently I've become obsessed with following this dry cleaner who has a "leader board" where he tests laundry detergents and he often says cold water is best. He rates detergents based on how well they do in cold water! I have learned a lot from him. Have completely changed the detergent I use, and have MUCH softer clothes now!

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Nomdeb

@nomdeb@mstdn.social 19 hr. ago

@jeridansky @Robotistry curious how you get the wish list? Is there a charity that provides them?

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Nomdeb

@nomdeb@mstdn.social 20 hr. ago

@jeridansky Also check out Costco, which often has great quality clothes for great prices. But limited choices - then again maybe that's what you want. 😊 https://www.costco.com/womens-clothing.html

Clothing for Women

Browse the newest women's fashion, including jackets, tops, sweaters and cardigans, sleepwear, dresses, pants, skirts, swimwear and more! Shop online at Costco.com today.

Nomdeb

@nomdeb@mstdn.social 20 hr. ago

@jeridansky There's digging to do, but Etsy has some wonderful makers. At least for shawls.

Jeri Dansky

@jeridansky@sfba.social 20 hr. ago

@nomdeb I've pretty much sworn off Etsy, given how horrible its been to vendors (with all sorts of fees) and then this kind of stuff: https://www.wired.com/story/etsy-is-in-its-flop-era-and-sellers-are-fleeing/

WIRED

Etsy Is In Its Flop Era, and Sellers Are Fleeing

Once a quirky bastion of amateur vulva jewelry and pet portraits, Etsy is now deluged with mass-produced goods and AI knockoffs. Some customers don’t seem to mind.

Nomdeb

@nomdeb@mstdn.social 20 hr. ago

@jeridansky I had seen that a year or so ago, but I have continued to shop there as I like to support makers who have no other way of reaching the public. I decided that was a trade off I was willing to make. :)

Jeri Dansky

@jeridansky@sfba.social 20 hr. ago

@nomdeb Are there any shops you specifically recommend for shawls — ones you've bought from so you know the quality is good?

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